* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Tenka Hyakken
天華百剣
A KADOKAWA media-mix franchise in which girls called "Mitsurugi", modelled on real famous Japanese swords, live through a fictional era named "Meiji". It includes the mobile RPG Tenka Hyakken -Kiru- (2017-2021) and a 2019 TV anime.
Description
Overview
Tenka Hyakken is a KADOKAWA media-mix franchise that personifies Japanese swords. It follows girls called "Mitsurugi", each modelled on a sword, as they live through a fictional era named "Meiji". The original concept comes from the Tenka Hyakken Project.
Games
The core title was Tenka Hyakken -Kiru-, described as a "beautiful-girl sword action RPG" for iOS and Android. Developed by Amata and published by DeNA, it launched on April 20, 2017 and ended service on August 16, 2021. A PC novel game, Tenka Hyakken -Meguri-, began distribution on May 31, 2024.
Anime
A 12-episode short anime, Tenka Hyakken: Welcome to Meiji-kan!, aired on BS11 from October 13 to December 29, 2019.
Swords That Appear
Many real famous swords appear as Mitsurugi. They include the Tenka Goken (Five Great Swords under Heaven): Doji-giri Yasutsuna, Onimaru Kunitsuna, Mikazuki Munechika, Odenta Mitsuyo and Juzumaru Tsunetsugu. Also featured are Kogarasumaru, said to be a treasure of the Taira clan, Shiro Izumi Masamune, Kashu Kiyomitsu and Nagasone Kotetsu, as well as the "Three Treasured Swords of Ryukyu" handed down in the Ryukyu royal family: Chiganemaru, Jiganemaru and Chatan Nachiri.
Relation to History and Cultural Impact
Like Touken Ranbu, Tenka Hyakken belongs to the wave of works that personify famous swords and give them stories. Because its characters are modelled on real blades whose owners and cultural designations are known, such as the Tenka Goken and the Ryukyu treasured swords, the characters can lead fans to see the actual swords in museums.
Real Swords Featured
Doji-giri Yasutsuna
One of the Tenka Goken, made by Yasutsuna of Hoki province. A National Treasure held by the Tokyo National Museum
Mikazuki Munechika
One of the Tenka Goken, made by Sanjo Munechika. A National Treasure held by the Tokyo National Museum
Odenta Mitsuyo
One of the Tenka Goken, made by Miike Mitsuyo of Chikugo. A National Treasure handed down in the Maeda family and held by the Maeda Ikutokukai
Three Treasured Swords of Ryukyu (Chiganemaru, Jiganemaru, Chatan Nachiri)
Swords handed down in the Sho family, the Ryukyu royal house, and held by the Naha City Museum of History
See authentic Japanese swords
See authentic Japanese swordsThis page is intended to introduce Japanese sword culture and is not affiliated with any of the works mentioned.